The Future of Gigs and Big Rigs

Advancements in artificial intelligence and mobile connectivity are disrupting transportation industries in ways that were unthinkable a decade ago. Autonomous vehicles are on the road, picking up passengers from the Las Vegas Strip to Pittsburgh's Strip District. And ride-sharing services such as Lyft and Uber are connecting vehicle owners with pedestrians who need a lift in the time it takes to click a few buttons on an iPhone. Both of these technological breakthroughs are changing the way people communicate, commute and travel. They have become common travel options that are making positive impacts in cities that suffer from automotive glut, including traffic congestion, air pollution and drunken driving. These disruptive technologies are benefiting consumers through high convenience and low cost, but their impact on workers who earn their living within industries that traditionally rely on human drivers is nebulous. Thanks to the research and recommendations of a group of Heinz College Master of Science in Public Policy and Management students, that technological influence on future workers will soon become clearer for policymakers who hope to prevent the massive displacement of jobs and benefits.